Conduct an independent review of Fiji’s tax system for circular best practice on taxation – Shameem

The University of Fiji has submitted to the Fiscal Review Committee to conduct an independent review of Fiji’s tax system for circular best practice on taxation including review of economic policies for sustainability, health status, education and equity.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem says collect coordinated and circularity-based inter-agency data, organized by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service under instruction, to calculate where to focus tax imposition or concessions and waivers.

Shameem says they have also recommended to shift from a Linear to Circular economy.

She adds the Circular Economy permits the Government to collect revenue as well as implement sustainable policies which will foster better revenue collection in future.

UniFiji has further submitted to the Committee to investigate causes of income disparity and review social assistance from the Circular Economy viewpoint.

It has also submitted to implement a tax schema on wastage, non-renewable resources, misuse of resources and manufacture of harmful products such as sugar, fizzy beverages and NCD foods which have implications on health and climate; implement a universal health tax for affordability of healthcare.

UniFiji further says the committee should innovate and diversify sustainable agricultural practices and provide tax concessions and waivers for sustainable production and implement tax waivers for renewable energy and remove barriers for renewable energy investors.